I grew up with brothers so I got to enjoy toys and games my friends might not have access to, such as Matchbox cars or Stretch Armstrong or pong, but I did have a friend who grew up with her sister and they had a ritual I had never known…tea parties. These were not impromptu tea parties with dolls. They were parties scheduled like clockwork every Thursday at 4pm. The first Thursday of the month was the Grand Tea Party and it involved games with prizes. I loved prizes.
No wonder I love tea today. This isn’t the sweet ice tea I was raised on, this is loose leaves ceremoniously steeped and served in a warmed, decorative porcelain teapot, strained through a vintage, silver tea strainer, and served in beautiful china cups with saucers. My favorite is green tea infused with Jasmine. The Nashville Tea Company, actually located in Bell Buckle, Tenn, sells one of the best. The loose tea is beautifully packaged in silver tins. And it tastes like pure nectar!
Collecting implements to accompany tea is fun. I love the little silver tongs for serving sugar cubes. (Mom has one of these and she never uses it. Wonder where it is?) I love the variety of tea strainers and infusers, some in whimsical shapes like houses or hearts. Oh, and I love, love, love vintage china. China is the best reason to stop at a yard sale, flea market, or estate sale. Why buy a whole set of china when you can get a variety of previously loved teacups for about a quarter each?
What I don’t own is a tea cozy. Never really understood the purpose. To keep tea hot? If it’s hot you can’t drink it and it has to cool down anyway. Besides tea cozies hide the beautiful teapot underneath, and that’s a shame.
When planning to host or to attend your next tea party, keep in mind the simple rules of tea party etiquette:
Tea party foods are to be eaten in order. First, scones or muffins, then sandwiches, and lastly, sweets.
Take small bites. Never stuff the whole sandwich or dessert in your mouth even though it seems small enough.
Do not dine with gloves on.
When seated at a table, raise only the teacup to drink, not the saucer. Place the teacup gently back on the saucer. If you are not seated at a table, simply hold the saucer in your lap with your left hand and raise the teacup with your right hand. Return the cup to the saucer between sips.
Never dip a scone in jam or cream. Pretend it is a dinner roll. Break off bite size pieces and add the jam or cream in your own plate. Scones are not to be eaten with a fork.
If serving on a 3-tiered server, place the scones on the top tier, savories and sandwiches on the middle tier, and desserts on the bottom.
Now you are ready to dazzle your guests or your host and enjoy your tea!
